Coastal Water Temperatures

Stations

Nearby Weather Stations

Watches & Warnings

Air Quality Alert

Issued:
9:00 AM MDT
Aug.
17,
2017
–
National Weather Service

... Air quality alert in effect until 900am MDT Friday...

The Montana department of environmental quality has issued an airquality alert for Deer Lodge, Granite, Jefferson, Lewis And Clark,Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, and Silver Bow counties in effectuntil further notice due to increased fire activity in west-centralMontana, most notably on the Lolo Peak fire. Fire activity isexpected to remain high for the next several days, resulting inpersistent air quality impacts. Impacts are most significant in theSeeley Lake area. Smoke from the Rice Ridge fire is causing hazardousair quality impacts between midnight and noon. The Missoula city-County health department recommends residents spend as little nighttime as possible in Seeley Lake due to the dangerous overnightpollution levels. This alert will be updated again at 900am8/18/2017.

An air quality alert means that particulates have been trendingupwards and that an exceedence of the 24 hour National ambient airquality Standard (naaqs) has occurred or may occur in the nearfuture.

As of 900am, particulate levels in Seeley Lake are hazardous

As of 900am, particulate levels in Superior are unhealthy

As of 900am, particulate levels in Butte, Drummond, Lolo, Helena, andPhilipsburg are unhealthy for sensitive groups

As of 900am, particulate levels in Florence, Frenchtown, Hamilton,Missoula, and Rock Creek are moderate

When air quality is hazardous... state and local health officialsrecommend that everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; peoplewith respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children shouldremain indoors.

When air quality is unhealthy... state and local health officialsrecommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly,and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else shouldlimit prolonged exertion.

When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups... state and localhealth officials recommend that people with respiratory or heartdisease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion.

When air quality is moderate... state and local health officialsrecommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducingprolonged or heavy exertion.

For more information visit the Montana department of environmentalquality at www.Todaysair.Mt.Gov

* impacts: low humidities... hot temperatures... and gusty winds will create erratic fire behavior and an increased risk of new fire starts. Humidity recover will be poor on Friday night along with windy conditions.

* Impacts/timing: a dry cold front will create dry and breezy conditions beginning on the ridge tops early Friday afternoon, then into the lower elevations in the late afternoon and evening. Wind and dry conditions will likely occur on the midslopes and ridges well into Friday night.

* Winds: west winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph through exposed areas. Peak winds are expected between 6 to 9 PM.